Terror threat levels are extremely high around Christmas markets all across Europe. In some large pro-immigration countries the festive decorations include concrete Christmas trees and armed police officers, making sure people are unable to forget the previous terrorist attacks carried out by migrants.

With Christmas fast approaching, European capitals are preparing for the holidays, albeit in a rather unusual way. The German city of Essen, for example, tried to disguise its public security measures by placing festive pine tree-shaped concrete blocks around its main Christmas market. The almost two-metre-high „pines” weigh around 3 tonnes and shield festive shoppers like a wall to decrease the risk of terrorist attack. The company that specialises in anti-terror barriers has also built concrete snowmen, inspired by the winter holidays. The necessity of concrete obstacles was highlighted by the 2016 terrorist attack in Berlin, where the attacker drove into a festive crowd using a lorry. 

Besides Germany, Italy also received plenty of migrants this year, and its liberal government has admitted that it was unable to cope with the influx of migrants. This has left an indelible mark on Italy s public security, to the point that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued a warning to tourists heading for Italy s Christmas markets, saying: „[a]uthorities cannot rule out the possibility of terrorist attacks in Italy.” The FCO added that all visitors „should remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.” The UK s foreign ministry has also issued advice to people travelling to Germany, saying „terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Germany.”

According to the FCO, Belgium is also high up on the list of countries under threat, and has warned tourists that „attacks could happen anywhere, including on public transport and transit hubs, as well as other venues visited by foreigners.” Fortunately, Belgium hasn t witnessed any terrorist incidents since 2016, when suicide bombers detonated explosives at several points in the city, killing 32 people and injuring three hundred.   

The French not only commemorate Christ s birth but also last year s massacre in Strasbourg. Street vendors say they are still haunted by the incident when Cherif Chekatt killed three people using a knife and a gun, and injured eleven others. One vendor said his family has participated in Christmas fairs since 1906, adding that giving up would be an act of cowardice. He noted, however, that the atmosphere still remained gloomy.

Although festive markets continue to radiate a warm Christmas spirit despite the obvious terror threats, organisers may have a more difficult time this year. Authorities haven t registered any mass murders so far, but a gang of Muslim youngsters beat a firefighter to death in Augsburg last week, undoubtedly prefiguring a more dismal Christmas holiday.